Union recognizes actions of all involved in assisting injured fisherman at sea

The Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) union is crediting the selfless and fast-thinking actions of offshore oil industry workers and management, emergency responders, Search and Rescue and fish harvesters for helping an injured fisherman get emergency treatment under perilous circumstances at sea early last week.
According to a news release, on the afternoon of June 1, a crewmember onboard the Canadian Navigator II, based out of Port de Grave, was seriously hurt after his leg became entangled in crab fishing gear. At about 1:30 p.m., the skipper, Matthew Petten, radioed a call for help to the nearby White Rose oil field.
The Maersk Chignecto supply ship, which is currently being contracted by Husky, launched a fast rescue craft (FRC) in waves exceeding four metres to go to the fishing vessel and pick up the injured crewmember. Bleeding and in significant pain, the man was taken back to the supply ship where he was evaluated, had his wounds dressed and stabilized.
He was then transferred to the hospital onboard the Husky-operated Transocean GSF Grand Bank oil rig where he was prepared for helicopter transfer by the rig's medic. A Search and Rescue Hercules aircraft was on the scene at 3:30 p.m. to check on conditions and shortly thereafter the injured man was winched up from the deck of the oil rig by a Search and Rescue Cormorant helicopter. He was immediately airlifted back to hospital in St. John's where he underwent surgery shortly after landing. He is currently recovering.
"On behalf of the union and fish harvesters across the province, I wish to extend my sincerest thanks and appreciation to all those who went to great lengths to provide assistance to a seriously injured harvester last Tuesday afternoon on the Grand Banks," FFAW President Earle McCurdy said.
"Employees with Husky, Maersk and Transocean at the White Rose project operated by Husky Energy, along with the fish harvesters and Search and Rescue personnel who were involved, are to be commended for their actions. Management with the companies involved are also to be recognized and thanked sincerely for making their facilities available and for making the safety of someone at sea a top priority."